FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Parasites & vectors2022; 15(1); 425; doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05532-z

Thelazia lacrymalis in horses from Romania: epidemiology, morphology and phylogenetic analysis.

Abstract: Equine thelaziosis is a neglected vector-borne parasitic disease in modern veterinary medicine, lacking recent reports. It is transmitted by Musca autumnalis, and potentially other Muscidae species, by ingesting the lachrymal secretions of its equine host. The distribution of both Thelazia lacrymalis and its intermediate hosts remains largely unknown throughout Europe, with most studies dating back 20 years. The aim of this study was to assess the presence, prevalence and distribution of T. lacrymalis in horses from Romania. Methods: The eyes of 273 horses, slaughtered at two abattoirs from the Northwestern and Western regions of Romania, were examined for the presence of T. lacrymalis between March and November 2021. Upon detection, the nematodes were collected and morphologically identified using the keys from literature. Following identification, one specimen from each animal was selected for molecular analysis while the rest underwent detailed morphometric measurements. Mapping and distribution, according to ecoregions, was done using the QGis 3.20 software, while sequences obtained were compared to those available in GenBank through BLAST analysis using the MEGA X software. Results: Of the 273 animals sampled, 12 (4.39%) were positive for Thelazia spp. Background: Eighty-seven nematodes were recovered, all morphologically identified as T. lacrymalis. The intensity of infestation varied between one and 33 nematodes/animal while five animals presented a bilateral infestation and seven a unilateral one. The highest prevalence was encountered in Pannonian ecoregion (12.12%) while the lowest was in the Alpine ecoregion (0%). Seventy-five intact specimens underwent detailed morphometric analysis, of the 18-20 parameters, resulting in notable differences in striation lengths compared to the data available in other reports. BLAST analysis identified a 96.46-98.60% similarity to the only other COI gene sequence available for T. lacrymalis. Conclusions: The current study represents the first report of T. lacrymalis in horses in Romania. The low prevalence rates are probably linked to the wide use of macrocyclic lactones.
© 2022. The Author(s).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-11-14 PubMed ID: 36376981PubMed Central: PMC9664606DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05532-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research provides an epidemiological study of Thelazia lacrymalis, a neglected parasitic disease affecting horses, in Romania. Using morphological and phylogenetic analyses, researchers identified the parasite, located its distribution, and related its presence in Romanian horses to the extensive use of macrocyclic lactones.

Epidemiological and Morphological Study

  • This study examined 273 Romanian horses for the presence of T. lacrymalis, a parasitic worm causing equine thelaziosis, a neglected disease transmitted by flies in the Muscidae family.
  • Horses examined were slaughtered at two abattoirs in the Northwestern and Western regions of Romania between March and November 2021.
  • The eyes of the horses, the common site of T. lacrymalis infestation in infected animals, were thoroughly inspected for any signs of the parasitic worm.
  • On detection, the nematodes were morphologically identified using the keys from literature.

Molecular Analysis and Mapping

  • After morphological identification, one specimen from each animal proceeded to molecular analysis using the MEGA X software for comparison with existing sequences in GenBank, a widely referred genetic sequence database.
  • Remainders of the specimens underwent detailed morphometric measurements to record variations in parasite size and other observable features.
  • The researchers used QGis 3.20 software to map the distribution and occurrence of T. lacrymalis according to various ecoregions of Romania.

Results and Findings

  • Out of 273 animals, 12 (4.39%) were found to be positive for Thelazia spp. associate parasites.
  • In total, the study was able to recover and identify 87 nematodes all as T. lacrymalis, signalling the first report of this parasite in Romanian horses.
  • Thelazia lacrymalis showed the highest prevalence in the Pannonian ecoregion (12.12%) and no incidence in the Alpine ecoregion.
  • A total of 75 intact specimens underwent detailed morphometric analysis with notable differences in striation lengths compared to other reports.
  • The molecular similarity between the researched T. lacrymalis and those available in GenBank ranged from 96.46-98.60%.

Conclusions

  • The researchers suggested that the low prevalence rates of T. lacrymalis in Romanian horses connects to the widespread use of macrocyclic lactones, which are anti-parasitic drugs.
  • This study contributes valuable data to the largely under-explored field of equine thelaziosis research, expanding our understanding of the geographical distribution and morphological variations of T. lacrymalis, especially in Eastern European regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Cotuțiu VD, Ionică AM, Lefkaditis M, Cazan CD, Hașaș AD, Mihalca AD. (2022). Thelazia lacrymalis in horses from Romania: epidemiology, morphology and phylogenetic analysis. Parasit Vectors, 15(1), 425. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05532-z

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 425
PII: 425

Researcher Affiliations

Cotuțiu, Vlad-Dan
  • Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. vlad.cotutiu@usamvcluj.ro.
Ionică, Angela Monica
  • CDS-9, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
  • Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, Iuliu Moldovan Street no. 23, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Lefkaditis, Menelaos
  • Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 43100, Karditsa, Greece.
Cazan, Cristina Daniela
  • CDS-9, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Hașaș, Alina Diana
  • Department of Physiopathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Mihalca, Andrei Daniel
  • Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Phylogeny
  • Spirurida Infections / epidemiology
  • Spirurida Infections / veterinary
  • Spirurida Infections / parasitology
  • Romania / epidemiology
  • Thelazioidea / genetics
  • Muscidae / parasitology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References

This article includes 33 references
  1. Otranto D, Traversa D. Thelazia eyeworm: an original endo- and ecto-parasitic nematode.. Trends Parasitol 2005 Jan;21(1):1-4.
    doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2004.10.008pubmed: 15639731google scholar: lookup
  2. Löhrer J, Hörning B. [Thelazia lacrimalis of the horse].. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 1967 Dec;109(12):644-53.
    doi: 10.5169/seals-593476pubmed: 5628626google scholar: lookup
  3. Skrjabin KI, Sobolev AA, Ivashkin VM. Spirurata of animals and man and the diseases caused by them. Part 4 thelazioidea.. 1971. pp. 1–54.
  4. Otranto D, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Dantas-Torres F. Thelazia callipaeda.. Trends Parasitol 2021 Mar;37(3):263-264.
    doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.04.013pubmed: 32451294google scholar: lookup
  5. Karbowiak G, Demiaszkiewicz AW, Pyziel AM, Wita I, Moskwa B, Werszko J, Bień J, Goździk K, Lachowicz J, Cabaj W. The parasitic fauna of the European bison (Bison bonasus) (Linnaeus, 1758) and their impact on the conservation. Part 1. The summarising list of parasites noted.. Acta Parasitol 2014 Sep;59(3):363-71.
    doi: 10.2478/s11686-014-0252-0pubmed: 25119348google scholar: lookup
  6. Deak G, Ionică AM, Oros NV, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. Thelazia rhodesi in a dairy farm in Romania and successful treatment using eprinomectin.. Parasitol Int 2021 Feb;80:102183.
    doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102183pubmed: 32891881google scholar: lookup
  7. Ionică AM, Deak G, Matei IA, D'Amico G, Cotuţiu VD, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. Thelazia callipaeda, an Endemic Parasite of Red Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) in Western Romania.. J Wildl Dis 2018 Oct;54(4):829-833.
    doi: 10.7589/2017-10-251pubmed: 29791293google scholar: lookup
  8. Ionică AM, Deak G, D'Amico G, Stan GF, Chișamera GB, Constantinescu IC, Adam C, Lefkaditis M, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. Thelazia callipaeda in mustelids from Romania with the European badger, Meles meles, as a new host for this parasite.. Parasit Vectors 2019 Jul 26;12(1):370.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3631-4pmc: PMC6660946pubmed: 31349861google scholar: lookup
  9. Dumitrache MO, Györke A, Mircean M, Benea M, Mircean V. Ocular thelaziosis due Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) in Romania: first report in domestic cat and new geographical records of canine cases.. Parasitol Res 2018 Dec;117(12):4037-4042.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-018-6122-1pubmed: 30368593google scholar: lookup
  10. Dumitrache MO, Ionică AM, Voinițchi E, Chavdar N, D'Amico G. First report of canine ocular thelaziosis in the Republic of Moldova.. Parasit Vectors 2019 Oct 30;12(1):505.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3758-3pmc: PMC6822340pubmed: 31666101google scholar: lookup
  11. Dulceanu N. Cercetari cu privire la localizarea speciilor si intensivitatea infestatiei cu thelazii la taurine.. Lucrari stiintifice, Inst. Agronomic 1971.
  12. Gurlt EF. Lehrbuch der pathologischen Anatomie der Haustiere, pt 1.. Berlin: Reimer; 1831.
  13. Barker IK. Case report. Thelazia lacrymalis from the eyes of an Ontario horse.. Can Vet J 1970 Sep;11(9):186-9.
    pmc: PMC1695104pubmed: 5466739
  14. Arbuckle JB, Khalil LF. A survey of thelazia worms in the eyelids of British cattle.. Vet Rec 1978 Mar 11;102(10):207-10.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.102.10.207pubmed: 565553google scholar: lookup
  15. Höglund J, Ljungström BL, Nilsson O, Lundquist H, Osterman E, Uggla A. Occurrence of Gasterophilus intestinalis and some parasitic nematodes of horses in Sweden.. Acta Vet Scand 1997;38(2):157-65.
    doi: 10.1186/BF03548495pmc: PMC8057032pubmed: 9257451google scholar: lookup
  16. Beelitz P, Dongus H, Schöl H, Gerhards H, Gothe R. Thelazia lacrymalis (Nematoda, Spirurida, Thelaziidae): report in a horse in Germany and contribution to the morphology of adult worms.. Parasitol Res 1997;83(6):627-31.
    doi: 10.1007/s004360050309pubmed: 9211518google scholar: lookup
  17. Giangaspero A, Tieri E, Otranto D, Battistini ML. Occurrence of Thelazia lacrymalis (Nematoda, Spirurida, Thelaziidae) in native horses in Abruzzo region (central eastern Italy).. Parasite 2000 Mar;7(1):51-3.
    doi: 10.1051/parasite/2000071051pubmed: 10743649google scholar: lookup
  18. Alsaad KM, Abbas BA, Yaseen J. Keratoconjunctivitis in drought horses in Basrah.. Basrah-Iraq Bas J Vet Res 2010;1:155–163.
  19. Anvari D, Sharifi N, Hashemi SH. First report of isolation and identification of Thelazia lacrymalis nematodes in horse from Iranshahr city.. In: Proceedings of the 3rd national congress of equine health and diseases. 29th April–1st May, 2015, Shiraz, Iran; 2015. p. 42.
  20. Medl N. Thelazia lacrymalis (Gurlt, 1831) beim Pferd - epidemiologische und histopathologische Untersuchungen un kritische retrospektive Betrachtund der klinischen Bedeutung.. Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung der tiermedizinischen Doktorwürde der Tierärztlichen Fakultät der Ludwig-Maximilians. Munich, Germany; 2007. pp. 39–44.
  21. Naem S. Ultrastructural observations on the surface of Thelazia lacrymalis (Nematoda: Spirurida, Thelaziidae).. Acta Vet Hung 2005;53(2):205-12.
    doi: 10.1556/avet.53.2005.2.5pubmed: 15959978google scholar: lookup
  22. Casiraghi M, Anderson TJ, Bandi C, Bazzocchi C, Genchi C. A phylogenetic analysis of filarial nematodes: comparison with the phylogeny of Wolbachia endosymbionts.. Parasitology 2001 Jan;122 Pt 1:93-103.
    doi: 10.1017/s0031182000007149pubmed: 11197770google scholar: lookup
  23. Kumar S, Stecher G, Li M, Knyaz C, Tamura K. MEGA X: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis across Computing Platforms.. Mol Biol Evol 2018 Jun 1;35(6):1547-1549.
    doi: 10.1093/molbev/msy096pmc: PMC5967553pubmed: 29722887google scholar: lookup
  24. Tamura K, Nei M. Estimation of the number of nucleotide substitutions in the control region of mitochondrial DNA in humans and chimpanzees.. Mol Biol Evol 1993 May;10(3):512-26.
    doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a040023pubmed: 8336541google scholar: lookup
  25. Tweedle DM, Fox MT, Gibbons LM, Tennant KV. Change in the prevalence of Thelazia species in bovine eyes in England.. Vet Rec 2005 Oct 29;157(18):555-6.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.157.18.555pubmed: 16258137google scholar: lookup
  26. Wollanke B, Gerhards H, Pfeghaar S. Chronisch rezidivierende Konjunktivitis infolge Thelazia lacrymalis- induzierter, chronisch abszedierender Dacryoadenetis bei einem Warmbluthengst.. Pferdeheilkunde 2004;20:131–134.
    doi: 10.21836/PEM20040203google scholar: lookup
  27. Collobert C, Bernard N, Lamidey C. Prevalence of Onchocerca species and Thelazia lacrimalis in horses examined post mortem in Normandy.. Vet Rec 1995 May 6;136(18):463-5.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.136.18.463pubmed: 7638935google scholar: lookup
  28. Dărăbuș G, Constantin N, Constantinoiu C, Cosoarbă I, Cozma V, Didă I. Strongilidoze digestive.. In: Constantin N, Constantinoiu C, Cosoarbă I, Cozma V, Dărăbuș G, Didă I, et al., editors. Tratat de Medicină Veterinară. București: Risoprint; 2014. pp. 648–692.
  29. Valiela I. An experimental study of the mortality factors of larval Musca autumnalis De Geer.. Ecol Monogr 1969;39:199–225.
    doi: 10.2307/1950742google scholar: lookup
  30. Hodkinson ID. Terrestrial insects along elevation gradients: species and community responses to altitude.. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2005 Aug;80(3):489-513.
    doi: 10.1017/S1464793105006767pubmed: 16094810google scholar: lookup
  31. Trout Fryxell RT, Moon RD, Boxler DJ, Watson DW. Face fly (Diptera: Muscidae)-biology, pest status, current management prospects, and research needs.. J Integr Pest Manag 2021;12:1–18.
    doi: 10.1093/jipm/pmaa020google scholar: lookup
  32. Greenberg SM, Plummer CE, Brooks DE, Porter M, Farina LL, Winter MD. Unilateral orbital lacrimal gland abscess in a horse.. Vet Ophthalmol 2011 Jan;14(1):55-60.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00842.xpubmed: 21199280google scholar: lookup
  33. Brooks DE, Matthews AG. Equine ophthalmology.. In: Gelatt KN, editor. Veterinary ophthalmology. 4. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing; 2007. pp. 1165–1274.

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Khedri J, Sazmand A, Sadr S, Said MB, Uni S, Otranto D, Borji H. Thelazia leesei Railliet & Henry, 1910 (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) of dromedary camel Camelus dromedarius: further morphological description, molecular characterization, and epidemiology in Iran. Parasit Vectors 2024 Nov 24;17(1):486.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-024-06558-1pubmed: 39582059google scholar: lookup
  2. You C, Jiang S, Ding Y, Ye S, Zou X, Zhang H, Li Z, Chen F, Li Y, Ge X, Guo X. RNA barcode segments for SARS-CoV-2 identification from HCoVs and SARSr-CoV-2 lineages. Virol Sin 2024 Feb;39(1):156-168.
    doi: 10.1016/j.virs.2024.01.006pubmed: 38253258google scholar: lookup
  3. Huggins LG, Atapattu U, Young ND, Traub RJ, Colella V. Development and validation of a long-read metabarcoding platform for the detection of filarial worm pathogens of animals and humans. BMC Microbiol 2024 Jan 20;24(1):28.
    doi: 10.1186/s12866-023-03159-3pubmed: 38245715google scholar: lookup
  4. Cotuțiu VD, Ionică AM, Dan T, Cazan CD, Borșan SD, Culda CA, Mihaiu M, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. Diversity of Thelazia spp. in domestic cattle from Romania: epidemiology and molecular diagnosis by a novel multiplex PCR. Parasit Vectors 2023 Nov 3;16(1):400.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-023-06012-8pubmed: 37924115google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,824 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.